Day 48: March 15

March 15th, 2024
by Randy Eliason

MATTHEW 20:17-34

SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:

Vs 18-19 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Vs 26-28 “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Vs. 32-33 And stopping, Jesus called them and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 33 They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.”

OBSERVATIONS:
Jesus predicted his death and resurrection as he had already done in Matt 16.

Jesus rebuked James and John for sending their mother to ask Jesus to place them in the positions of highest honor in His Kingdom.

In the Kingdom of God, those in authority will use that authority to serve the people rather than for self serving ends.

The reason those who belong to the Kingdom understand their life purpose as service to God and man is because they are followers of King Jesus and that’s how he lived. We have been saved for service!

When the two blind men cried out to Jesus for mercy, they confessed their belief that he was the Messiah (“Son of David”). The crowd tried to stop them from crying out to Jesus. They refused to stop. Jesus responded by stopping for them! The normal daily routine for these men was to ask for money. When Jesus asked them what they wanted, they didn’t ask for money, they asked for healing... and Jesus healed them!

APPLICATION:
Not only did Jesus die and rise again, but he predicted it on several occasions. Anyone who predicts his death and resurrection... and pulls it off demands our attention! The crucifixion was a plot of man and performed by man but planned and ordained by God. As Peter said:

...this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” Acts 2:23-24

What men intend for evil God intends for good!! Friday couldn’t stop Sunday!!!

Jesus showed us what “greatness” is all about and it is completely counter to our cultural understanding. I must not embrace a life of service for the purpose of being esteemed and treated as a great person. Serving is not a means to an end. Living a life of service for the glory of God and the good of others is the end!

I need to have the faith of the two blind men; a faith that is not deterred by the crowd; a faith that is determined to get a touch from Jesus. The fact that the two blind men did not ask for money but for healing reminds me to be never limit my requests of Jesus to what my own experience tells me is possible! Why ask for the trivial from a Savior who does miracles!

PRAYER: Lord, teach me to pursue your glory and not my own. Help me to see the glory of a life of obedient service to you as my Lord. Build my faith according to these song lyrics:
“When did I start to forget, All of the great things You did?
When did I throw away faith for the impossible?
How did I start to believe, You weren't sufficient for me?
Why do I talk myself out of seeing miracles?
You are more than able, You are more than able
(You are, You are) You are more than able
(We've seen it) You are more than able
Who am I to deny what the Lord can do?”
Songwriters: Steven Furtick / Ben Fielding / Chandler Moore / Naomi Raine
More Than Able lyrics © Be Essential Songs

Posted in Service, Greatness, Servants